NOTE: This is Part 5 of a series leading up to the Highland County Historical Society inducting five more into its Hall of Fame. This week, we profile the late McKinley Hobart “Mack” Sauer (1896-1960).

Ladies and gentlemen, Mack Sauer was known as the Will Rogers of Highland County and was a publisher, writer, public speaker and candidate for public office who hosted a radio show from a studio in his home.

Born in Lawrence County, Sauer graduated from Wheelersburg High School in Scioto County. He attended Ohio State and Ohio University. In the 1930s, Sauer came to Leesburg and is considered the village’s “most famous person” by many. Later he lived in Hillsboro and was part owner of WSRW radio station along with Tom Archibald. He was also owner, publisher and editor of the Leesburg Citizen and Lynchburg News.

An overseas World War I Navy veteran, Sauer was twice honored by the Secretary of the Navy. The mere mention of the name of Sauer is bound to bring a smile or laugh from longtime county residents. They remember his radio show, “Breakfast at Sauer’s,” his entertaining speeches, his editorials and his books. His books contained his homespun humor, his patriotism, his sense of community values and his staunch Republican views. Early in the year of 1960, Sauer campaigned for the Republican nomination for the Sixth Ohio District congressional seat. The Hillsboro radioman was considered as one of the strong contenders for the post. But in February of 1960, Sauer died of a heart attack at the age of 63.

His son Mack Sauer Jr. remembers how his father often signed off on his letters with “We all, yes the whole world, would be better off if we could live by it daily. Love each other. And be happy.”

In addition to Mack Sauer, the 2022 Highland County Historical Society Hall of Fame inductees are Betty Bishop, Leadership; John Glaze, Arts and Entertainment; the late Donnie Eugene Lytle (“Johnny Paycheck”), Arts and Entertainment; and Beverly D. Rhoads, Leadership.

The five recipients will be honored at an induction ceremony Sunday, Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Hillsboro, followed by a reception at Highland House directly across the street from the church. The public is cordially invited.

For more information on the Highland County Historical Society, please call (937) 393-3392 or email the society at [email protected]

Steve Roush is vice chairman of the Highland County Historical Society Board of Trustees, a vice president of an international media company and a columnist and contributing writer for The Highland County Press. He can be reached by email at [email protected]